Why Study / Key Benefits

The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology is designed for qualified psychologists who want to develop specialist knowledge and practical skills in forensic psychology. The programme combines advanced coursework with supervised forensic placements, allowing students to apply forensic psychology knowledge in professional workplace settings.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge and skills in forensic psychology.
• Learn about forensic psychology theory and professional practice.
• Develop skills relevant to forensic assessment and practice.
• Gain experience conducting forensic evaluations for courts and tribunals.
• Undertake supervised forensic placements in professional settings.
• Develop skills in applying psychological knowledge to corrections, youth justice and forensic mental-health environments.
• Study under the supervision of forensic psychologists in workplace settings.
• The programme is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
• Successful completion makes graduates eligible to enter the registrar programme for endorsement as a forensic psychologist, subject to the applicable registration and endorsement requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification consists of:

• 6 core units – 75 credit points
• 2 elective units – 25 credit points
• Total – 100 credit points

Core units

1. Forensic Psychology, Theory and Practice A – PSY80100
2. Forensic Psychology Theory and Practice B – PSY80106
3. Forensic Placement 1 – PSY80111
4. Forensic Placement 2 – PSY80107
5. Forensic Placement 3 – PSY80108
6. Forensic Placement 4 – PSY80109

Forensic placement component

The four forensic placement units comprise 50 credit points of the programme.

Students must complete the placement units sequentially and across at least two placement locations. The placements provide practical exposure to forensic psychology environments under professional supervision.

The current public course information does not specify a single total placement-hour figure for this Graduate Diploma.

Total placement hours: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Elective units

Students select any two of the following:

• Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management – FBS80003
• Mental Disorder and Offending – FBS80005
• Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context – FBS80006
• Substance Misuse and Offending – FBS80007
• Trauma and Offending – FBS80009
• Understanding Interpersonal and Other Types of Violent Behaviours – FBS80011
• Development, Developmental Disability and Offending – FBS80015

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme specialises in:

• Forensic Psychology
• Forensic psychological practice
• Psychological assessment in forensic contexts
• Forensic evaluation
• Psychology and the legal system
• Corrections and youth justice
• Forensic mental health
• Violence risk assessment and management
• Offending behaviour
• Professional forensic practice

Programme Highlights

• Specialist postgraduate training in forensic psychology.
• Designed for already-qualified psychologists.
• APAC-accredited programme.
• Pathway towards the registrar programme for forensic psychology endorsement.
• Four sequential forensic placement units.
• Placements undertaken across at least two placement locations.
• Practical exposure to forensic psychology workplaces.
• Training relevant to courts, tribunals, corrections, youth justice and forensic mental-health settings.
• Course delivered through Swinburne's Hawthorn campus.
• 100 credit points in total.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Private-practice psychologist
• Senior psychologist
• Youth Justice worker
• Manager in public forensic mental-health services
• Clinical coordinator

The course handbook additionally states that graduates can work competently in forensic environments such as:

• Corrections
• Youth justice
• Forensic mental health
• Private practice involving expert reports for state and federal courts

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current 2027 start dates are 1 March and 2 August 2027.
• Current application deadlines are 24 February and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• Course code: GD-PSYFOR.
• The programme remains part-time.
• Swinburne explicitly states that the programme is not suitable for onshore international students holding a Student visa.
• Applicants must already hold an APAC-accredited postgraduate psychology qualification in an approved area and be endorsed by the Psychology Board of Australia in that area.
• At least 500 hours of relevant supervised practice must have been included in the original postgraduate training.
• The original postgraduate thesis must be relevant to forensic psychology.
• A selection interview is required for shortlisted applicants.
• Academic and professional referee reports are required.
• Placement units must be completed sequentially across at least two placement locations.
• Credit for prior study is limited to a maximum of 12.5 credit points, and placement units cannot receive credit.
• The current public course page does not specify a total placement-hour requirement.
• Total placement hours: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• Course-specific English-language score: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

Important visa eligibility point

This is particularly important for this course.

Swinburne states that the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology is offered only part-time and is therefore not suitable for international students who are in Australia holding an Australian Student visa. International students in Australia holding Student visas are required to study full-time and on campus, while this programme is only offered part-time.

Therefore:

• An international student cannot use this programme as a normal onshore Student visa study option at Swinburne.
• Students considering an offshore study arrangement should confirm with Swinburne how the programme is delivered to students outside Australia.
• A Student visa should not be assumed to be available for this programme merely because the course page contains international-student information.